PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – New numbers show what many of you already know. The flu is ramping up earlier than usual. More than three thousand new cases in Pennsylvania in just a week, and there have been six deaths so far, including two in Philadelphia.

3 On Your Side Health Reporter Stephanie Stahl has a closer look at the flu situation in our area.
Emergency rooms are extra busy with people complaining of flu like symptoms.

“I don’t know what happened all of a sudden if just came up on me,” said Sandra Lee, a patient.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pennsylvania, for the first time this season, and New Jersey now have high levels of flu-like illnesses across the state. Delaware has moderate levels.

Looking specifically at confirmed cases of the flu in New Jersey, the state tells CBS-3 they’re seeing a moderate amount of flu in the southern part of the state, unlike the northern part where they’re seeing more cases of the flu.